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Travelling with Lyn

Category Archives: Taraunga

Scenic and Relaxing – McLaren Falls Park

13 Friday Jul 2018

Posted by Lyn Douglas in McLaren Falls Park, Taraunga

≈ 46 Comments

Tags

Lake McLaren, McLaren Falls Park, New Zealand, NZ, Photography, Tauranga, travel

Not far off the highway and only a short 10 minute drive from Taraunga is McLaren Falls Park which is 190 hectares of parkland set alongside Lake McLaren.

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We drove up early enough to enjoy coffee at the café before our bush walk however the café was closed when we arrived. My friends did say that the food is great at the café and very reasonably priced.

 

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Right by the café is the information kiosk where we parked our car and walked to the falls through the rainforest. We grabbed a map here at the information centre however we soon noticed that the roads through the park were well signed so we did not really need the map. There is plenty of parking by the information centre and around the park areas.

We set off for our walk up to the falls, which in fact was only a very short but pleasant walk with gorgeous ferns, tree ferns, vegetation and abundance of bird life along the way. The falls are not high and are really a small waterfall.

 

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After taking many photos we did some more exploring. From the falls we then walked to the picturesque lake with its magnificent reflections coming from the colourful trees by the waters edge.

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It was autumn and the park was particularly stunning with the leaves changing colour. The serene setting with its resident ducks and black swans was breathtaking.

 

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McLaren Falls park is a certainly a great place to spend a few hours or in fact a few days. On a sunny day it would be a great spot to clamber over some rocks and go for a refreshing swim. McLaren Falls park is also home to one of the best botanical collections of trees in New Zealand.

This park is vast. Not only beautiful, but so much to do, you can kayak, walk, BBQ, swim, check out the Falls, camp, see glow worms, enjoy the lake or take a picnic for a very relaxing few hours.

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There are some great walking tracks with interesting bushes and trees surrounding the area. If you are a camper you have the opportunity to book a spot to stay a night or 2. There is also a hostel in the park however I did not see it.

A Disused Quarry To A Paradise – Te Puna

01 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by Lyn Douglas in New Zealand, Taraunga, Te Puna Quarry

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

Monarch Butterfly, Mt Maunganui, New Zealand, NZ, Photography, Te Puna, Te Puna Quarry, travel

Well what a lovely surprise Te Puna Quarry Park was. The transformation of this disused quarry to spectacular gardens and walking tracks was commenced in 1997 and all work and maintenance was carried out solely by volunteers. Now there is something for everyone to enjoy: picnic lawns, panoramic view, sculptures, bush walks, a butterfly house, specialized gardens and much more.

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This park is a credit to the dedicated volunteers who have created a very special attraction for the community and visitors to the area. There is plenty of parking including overnight for self contained vehicles and caravans.

If you are a lover of gardens, nature and art I highly recommend Te Puna. There are ponds, tree ferns, cymbidium orchids by the thousand, native tree plantings and exotics such as vireya rhododendrons – a wild garden rich in spectacular contrasts. Special garden areas include irises, cacti and succulents, an Australian area, a native Arboretum, a Bonsai corner, a South African area and a Palm Grove. There is a butterfly garden where monarch butterflies happily fly free.

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Monarch Butterfly

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The track was steep in places so I was pleased that I was wearing sneakers/walking shoes. Definitely worth making the time to visit Te Puna with it’s wonderful panoramic views, from the gentle walk on the formed pathways taking one through all sorts of flora suitably grouped into their botanical origins and backgrounds which includes areas specifically devoted to orchids, fuchsias, herbs and much more.

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The many fascinating sculptures crafted out of stone, wood, metal and ceramics situated throughout the gardens make for an interesting cultural touch as one meanders round the different pathways and comes across these works of art or man-made surprises.

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The quarry park also has divine views of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. We soaked in the great views at many places but they were best as we climbed higher.

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This is where I saw my first “Silver Fern”growing.

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The park is dog friendly too, but only on a leash. There are plenty of benches and grass areas to rest throughout the park; there are also a few drinking fountains and toilets.

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It is free to enter this lovely spot, but worth while leaving a donation when you leave. Take a picnic and make a day of it.

From ponds to panoramic views, from gardens to butterflies, this old Quarry has become a magical place of distinctive beauty. You will love this place. I did.

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